Greece at a glance

Itinerary

14 days / 13 nights

1st day

Athens-Athens by night tour:

Arrival at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Our transfer will be waiting for you at the airport. After boarding our luxurious air-conditioned vehicle, you may sit back and relax as the driver takes you to the restaurant. Lunch and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and free time at leisure. Your evening begins with a short panoramic drive through the City Center and at the slope of the sacred hill you will be able to see, admire and photograph the illuminated Acropolis. Then a pleasant walk through the narrow picturesque streets of Plaka, the old city, will lead you to a Typical Greek Tavern where you will enjoy your dinner, followed by a show with live music and Greek Folk Dancers in traditional costumes. Return to the hotel and overnight.

2nd day

Athens-Athens city tour & Acropolis museum & Piraeus:

Enjoy breakfast and get ready for the most amazing city tour through history that ASIT chose for you and offers you a unique opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city!!! First stop will be at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. Then you will continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (the former Royal Palace), guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniforms, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). Next stop, Acropolis with the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Continue your visit to the place where at last the statues found their home, and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we will continue our tour to visit the most picturesque harbor Piraeus. We will visit the Mikrolimano area, the tranquil harbor is full of tavernas which are famous for the traditional ouzo, the Greece’s national drink. The rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Overnight.

3rd day

Athens-Corinth-Mycenae-Nafplion:

We will leave early in the morning and cross the Corinth Canal. Our next stop will be a visit to the famous Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will see the home of Mythical Agamemnon, the Cyclopean walls, the Lions gate and royal tombs. Then we depart for Nafplion, the first capital of Greece in Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress, for a short stop. Overnight.

4th day

Nafplion-Epidaurus-Olympia:

After breakfast we will visit the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, mostly well known for its acoustics. The Unesco’s world heritage listed monument is reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Askleipios, the healer and was the most celebrated healing center of the classical world. We will continue to visit the birth place of the Olympic Games. We will visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, and the altar of the Olympic Game, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum. Overnight.

5th day

Chlemoutsi-Mega Spilaion-Kalavryta:

Today we will visit one of the most beautiful castles in Greece. On the way you can admire the rural area with the olive trees, and ta the time that you will reach the top of the hill, where the castle is standing, we may admire the beautiful view of the Ionian Sea. Chlemoutsi castle is one remarkable antique of the world’s architectural beastliness and remains as one of the most important well preserved ancient fortresses of Greece. We will continue and we will visit the Mega Spilaion of Kalavryta. It is built on the slopes of a steep side of a rocky hill, at the highest of 924m, providing great views of the balcony. The Monastery of Mega Spileo is an imposing construction with a 17th century church that hosts remarkable frescoes, mosaic floors and a bronze door with relief decoration. The Monastery also hosts a museum that displays carved wooden crosses, antique manuscripts and Holy Gospels. In the afternoon we will reach the picturesque village of Kalavryta. At Kalavryta you may buy herds, walnuts, tea honey, as well as the famous rose-sugar, the sweet preserve made with roses. Don’t miss the change to interact with the locals and taste the traditional way of living. Overnight.

6th day

Rack Railway (Odontotos)–Nafpaktos-Delphi:

Our day will start a tour which will leave you speechless with the impressive landscape: lush vegetation, wild areas, waterfalls and cave-like formations constitute the landscape of one of the most spectacular routes in Peloponnese peninsula. We will take the traditional train- Odontotos – from Kalavryta to Diakofto (apx 60min on the rack railway). Our busses will wait for us at Diakofto to continue to Nafpaktos, with a short stop at Patra town for lunch. After passing the amazing bridge of Rio- Antirio, one of the biggest in Europe we will reach Nafpaktos town. Nafpaktos is a beautiful seaside small town where you may visit the Venetian Castle. Late in the evening we will reach Delphi village, overnight.

7th day

Delphi-Mesologgi-Ioannina:

In the morning we will visit Delphi, the center of Ancient World – the “Omphalos” (Navel of Earth) – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. We will visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Museum, which containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Lunch in the modern village of Delphi. After lunch, we will visit another historical town: Messolonghi. At the entrance of the city we will visit the famous Heroes’ Garden. The garden is densely planted, dotted with monuments that were erected during several different periods, and are dedicated to the prominent military and political figures of the era, Greeks and Philhellenes. Late in the evening we will reach Ioannina town, overnight.

8th day

Ioannina-Konitsa-Monodendri-Vikos Gorge:

Today we will visit some of the most traditional and picturesque villages of the Greek mainland. Zagori area, a complex of 45 traditional picturesque villages that built amphitheatrically on the mountains. The interconnection among those village is by scenic roads and traditional arched stone bridges that pass over creeks and rivers. The area is a combination of scattered pinners and firs, crystal clear waters, traditional stone-made bridges, old manors, beautiful churches and lush vegetation. An area with flora and fauna of the richest in Greece. We will cross by foot old stone bridges, where you will have the chance to admire the stunning view of Vikos Gorge. Overnight at Ioannina.

9th day

Ioannina-Metsovo-Kalambaka:

After breakfast, we will start our city walking tour through the Castle, the crossroads of cultures and religions. You will see some great sights, Ottoman buildings like Soufari Serai, the Jewish Synagogue and the brand new Silver museum. Short free time to stroll around traditional streets of the town for shopping. After our relaxed stroll, we will visit the remarkable village of Metsovo. A small traditional village with grand mansions and stone-paved streets, while is one of the few places in Greece where people are dressed in traditional costumes.In the central square we can find taverns with traditional cuisine, dairy products, like the famous smoked cheese “Metsovone”. We suggest to visit the local winery “Averof” and taste the local famous wines. Lunch and continue to Kalambaka village. Overnight.

After breakfast, we will visit Meteora. Meteora are unique rock formations, raising high with Christian monasteries built at the top. It is truly fascinating to visit the inner part of the monasteries, but also to enjoy the amazing views. Later we will start driving north and we will cross the Tempi Valley. Lunch at the Litochoro village, which I stressed up to the mountain side of Olympus Mountain. We will take a mild walk,a chance to breathe the fresh mountain air, admire the natural beauty, whilst walking through the unspoiled forest of the Enipeas Valley. Lunch at the village. Late in the afternoon enteually we will reach Thessaloniki. In the evening we can walk around the vivid city center.

11th day

Thessaloniki:

We will explore the history of Thessaloniki with style on this tour. You will have the opportunity to see the White Tower, the main landmark of the city, the Helexpo fairgrounds, the university campus, the Galerius Arch, the Rotonda monument, the Citadel and the City Walls, from where you will have a marvelous view of Thessaloniki! During your tour, there will be a short stop at Aghios Demetrius Byzantine church and its crypt, and you will also have the opportunity to visit the Archaeological Museum. Afternoon free at your disposal.

12th day

Thessaloniki-Mount Athos cruise:

Departure for the beautiful village of Ouranopolis! In the Eastern part of Chalkidiki, the “Holy Mountain” has been an autonomous monastic state since the 11th century, by order of an Imperial Byzantine decree. From Ouranopolis, we will board the ship for a cruise around the coastline of the Monastic State of Athos.We will enjoy the view of the beautiful scenery and the Byzantine monasteries of unique architecture. After our lunch at Ouranoupolis, free time to stroll around the village and late in the afternoon we will return back to Thessaloniki.

13th day

Thessaloniki-Vergina-Veria:

Today, our first stop is the small town of Veria, to view the ancient synagogue where St. Paul spoke and the Bema, which is surrounded by mosaics of St. Paul. We will continue to visit King Phillip’s (Alexander’s father) tomb in Vergina. We will see the ancient royal tomb of Phillip, which testifies the culture of the Macedonian Kingdom and visit the museum. In the afternoon we will return to Thessaloniki. For your free time we propose to visit the waterfront long promenade (Nea Paralia), a focal point for people to walk, to jog or simply stroll by the sea or to taste the local flavors. Overnight.

14th day

Thessaloniki:

Enjoy your last free hours, at the capital of Greece, before the transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

*Operated with minimum participation of 15 persons.

(Or we can extend your stay in one of the beautiful Greek islands!)

Please note:

The above mentioned rates reflect cost and exchange rates etc. valid on November 2017. In case of any significant change, caused by tax increase, fuel surcharge etc. deriving from governmental laws, ASIT reserves the right to adjust the rates accordingly. The above rates are not valid if any special events find place, (ex. Congresses, conferences, National holidays, sport events etc.) Overnight tax when implemented, should be paid directly to the hotel upon arrival from the final client.